$1B of meth stopped at NZ border

14/08/2013

By 3 News online staff

Up to $1 billion of methamphetamine and precursor drugs has been intercepted at the New Zealand border since 2009.

Customs Minister Maurice Williamson says 66kgs of methamphetamine and 3.3 tonnes of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine has been stopped at the International Mail Centre, in sea and air cargo shipments as well as from individuals entering the country.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to be between $740 million and $1b and the seizures have prevented $410m of "drug harm", Mr Williamson says.

Drug harm is the total social costs of drug use and includes associated crime, lost output, health service use and other diverted resources, such as Customs and police time.

Mr Williams says Customs should be applauded for stopping so much of this "vile drug" from entering the country.